Cafe / Restaurant – Page 5 – Curious Bystander

279 Café Bistro, West End, Glasgow – Another veggie Burger – Different!

I must have walked by here several thousand times, another place that was on my list, and finally went in this week to see just what it has to offer. Equally, with a bistro vibe, it also happens to be one of the few restaurants in this area of the West End that is open late.

The décor and food were spot on, and had a lovely chat with the head waiter / proprietor about Corona, opening hours, strategy for day or night diners, etc.

I once again went for a non-meat burger, and was surprised that there were two choices (and staples in this type of food); haloumi or bean burger – I chose the former and also decided to have it “with cheese”; that the waiter and myself laughed about – a cheese burger, with more cheese!

It was lovely, healthy and the stack of chips was like a Rubik’s cube. The addition of avocado was an added plus.

4 /5 – Recommended

Will also in the near future, try their night menu.

This week – Germany, other things, but wait, another, new Chinese Cafe’ we have in Glasgow

And what a name and quote to go with it:

I Love You Desserts – 23 Byres Road,Glasgow

“The world is a little bitter, I want to give you a little Sweet” – how darling!

I will have to check this place out, as I just LOVE sweets and note that this is hopefully another triumph here in the West End, and will add even more to the variety here and to the variety of the recent explosion of Chinese eateries in this particular area.

Week Ahead; I go to Europe next week!

Not done too much travelling recently, but am still eating at a variety of Glasgow restaurants / cafes. More on both later in the week.

Equally, one of these places to eat, was at none other than one of Glasgow’s fine NHS hospitals, as I had surgery the past week – I had the meatballs, that although looked terrible, tasted beautiful! 10/10

In addition, particularly in these almost post-COVID days, I noticed a smaller chapel / place of quiet room, that seemed to me to be just what the doctor ordered. It was spacious enough, open to all beliefs / faiths, and looked to be something (quiet), and that should be encouraged – but both times I was there, it was empty!

I despair, but will blog a bit more later. And who knows, maybe it will be a review of more NHS food!

Vegan Burgers in Glasgow – The continuous quest for the best one . . .

I for some reason had been invited to the Western Baths Club, in Glasgow’s West End, and decided to order their version of the “vegan” burger – very surprised at the quality.

Maybe it’s because the trendy, vegan-friendly, West End of Glasgow has a helluva lot more experience when it comes to this type of food, but the overall presentation, taste and attitude (even had a shout out from the kitchen as to whether I required cheese – vegan presumably – with my burger) was significantly better than other places.

It was freshly made, with a fresh salad on top and was turned around in only a few minutes.

The corresponding price of £7.00 was unbelievable and will definitely go again, if invited.

4/5

A drive along the Ochils, and a visit (short) to Dollar, Scotland

On the way back from St Andrews, managed to sneak in a lunch in the delightful, at the foot of the Ochils village of Dollar.

I’ve been here before, and it’s literally a one town road, at the base of some very nice hiking possibilities, and which contains a very famous and respected private school.

The small village of Dollar, is at the foot of the Ochils, and home to the prestigious Dollar Academy.

Have been here before and at the SAME exact restaurant – Café des Fleurs – one that is of a superior quality, with a queue outside, mainly for coffees.

Where the food was both rustic and delicious, even with proper bread, for the huge portions. It seemed to be a real hub of activity for such a small place, with the bus stop in front of it, having its very own library! 4.5 / 5.

Dunkeld – Perthshire visit – Part 3

The final stop of my recent visit to the Perthshire region, was a complete surprise when we decided to have a quick couple of hours in Dunkeld.

Note, I’ve been here before, but not to this section of the village, which is difficult to believe as it’s actually quite small here. The other part is Birnam, a quarter of a mile south.

We came here via the A984 from Blairgowrie – what a very pleasant surprise, as the road was dead quiet (it was a Wednesday afternoon), and we happened to go through a delightful hamlet called Spittalfield, complete with café and village green. It also seemed like an ideal area for a bicycle tour, as the Number 7 from Sustrans (and others paths) go through this area.

What was interesting to me (above), was the monied type of feel here, a Monte Carlo(!) of the Highlands; you could almost smell it, and a walk along the High Street proved this as well. We found a wine bar / shop that served me the best sandwich I’ve ever had, but have no idea what the name of the café was The Scottish Deli? – but it was near the Palmerston Cafe, and has only been around the last year. Where I washed it down with a fine, vintage Port!

Later, we walked over the bridge and then made our way back to Glasgow

Spittal of Glenshee / Perthshire visit – Part 2

Continuing on from Part 1, I decided to stay at the delightful Dalmunzie Castle hotel– a throwback to another age, though with all the mod cons, and a surprising modern ethic & friendly staff.

Equally, the restaurant was Michelin rated, and the pork with some sort of “hash brown” included, was divine.

Various, including a Bar Billiards table

The place is still part of a mammoth estate, south of the Cairngorms, and has an old school vibe and attached 9-hole golf course, where we had a walk the next day; and although it was a golf course, the views were still stunning.

After the course hike, we then travelled to the nearby village / town of Dunkeld – which will be in Part 3 (a complete surprise)

The Week Ahead, the year in Review (if I feel like it) / Vino Valentino, Glasgow –

Can’t wait til I can Travel again . . . .

The final week of the year, and it has ended just like the last one, with us locked up and I for one am tired of it, considering I’ve been treble vaxxed. But I never do politics and will once again for the foreseeable future, simply have to make my own fun.

I will give my music single and album of the year, TV of the year and try to do a movie of the year, though did not really see any to be fair!

But during the last week, had to have a wine and popped in to a delightful, local, wine bar, Vino Valentino, only a stone’s throw from the house; where after asking for advice for a fruity wine, received one and it was a hit.

Vino Valentino – Various Shots

It’s small and quaint, and believe only about a dozen can fit in, at a squeeze. Also, they do a limited food platter that I’ve seen but never have tried.

Recommended!

Ardrossan, Scotland – Part 1

I went to meet an old friend in the very cold and wet, coastal town of Ardrossan, on the West Coast of Scotland – It was even colder than I thought it would be.

Ardrossan Marina, Scotland (west coast of)

You have to understand the weather in this part of the world, physically and technically, it is not REALLY that cold, but when it’s 7 celsius (42 f), and is humid, and has a 20+ mph wind in your face – it goes down to your bones.

Equally, it’s a rather strange, small place, with three to four train stations! Surely some kind of record for such a low population of about 10,000+?

We ate at the delightful and functional (excellent, friendly service!), Cecchinis, at the marina. It’s a modern Italian place, and is swift, clean and quality – quite full at this time (and weather) and place.

Afterwards, we hiked about the high street, and promenade (more tomorrow), but lastly, there’s palm trees there!

A palm tree in Scotland, a regular appearance on the West Coast

Cafe Andaluz – Forgotten gem in Glasgow

I hadn’t been here for a few years, when all of a sudden I wanted to go out last night.

I must say, that the prices are high, and certainly higher than the last time that I was here; regardless, I thought it was a world class meal.

_{Albondigas (meat balls), Pollo rebozados (battered chicken), Queso (cheese), Croquetas (croquettes)}

I also noticed that the red wine we chose, Cal y Canto, I thought I had seen before in “fine” supermarkets, but it still tasted quite nice (superb even!).

This raises the question, why does this happen? Why is it, if I had bought the wine and taken it home to consume, it would not have been so good?